Lionel Messi Returns to Inter Miami with a Bang

The superstar forward hadn't played a competitive game in 62 days. Injured during Argentina's Copa América final victory, Messi's last match for Inter Miami CF was on June 1. You couldn't tell by watching him Saturday night at Chase Stadium, where the GOAT bagged a first-half brace and assisted Luis Suárez's insurance tally during a 3-1 win over the Philadelphia Union. Jordi Alba set up both of Messi's goals, which were scored three minutes and 29 seconds apart.

Messi's Impact on the Match

The Herons had been without Messi since June 1 and the Chase Stadium crowd was expectant as the captain made his long-awaited comeback. However, it was Philadelphia Union who struck first, Mikkel Uhre firing home from the edge of the box after just one minute. Miami struggled to get a hold of the game in the early stages, but Messi made a typically definitive intervention midway through the first half, scoring twice in three minutes to fire the hosts ahead.

A Second-Half Showdown

Philadelphia pushed for a leveller in the second half but they met firm resistance from Drake Callender in the Inter Miami goal. Then, in the final seconds, Messi rolled a pass to Luis Suarez on the edge of the box, and the Uruguayan stroked the ball home to secure a hard-fought three points for the Herons.

Inter Miami's Dominance

Messi now has 14 goals and 14 assists, good for fifth in the MLS Golden Boot presented by Audi race. To make it even more impressive, he's compiled those numbers in just over 1,100 minutes (13 appearances). With six regular-season games remaining, The Herons hold a sizable lead in the Supporters' Shield race. They clinched an Audi 2024 MLS Cup Playoffs spot in late August and remain on pace to set a single-season points record (62 points; 2.21 ppg).

“As we said at the beginning, we know the squad we have, and [winning the Supporters' Shield] is a goal,” said Messi. 'We are realistic and take responsibility. The truth is that throughout the year, we had a lot of bad luck with injuries. We were never at full strength—due to one thing or another, we were always missing players, but the team always pushed forward. Today, we are in first place with a big lead, and deservedly so. Hopefully, we can finish at the top for what it means and for what's to come after as well.”

A Thrilling Match

The game was a rollercoaster of emotions. Philadelphia Union, despite their early lead, found themselves on the back foot for much of the match, unable to contain the attacking threat posed by Messi and his Inter Miami teammates. The home crowd was in a frenzy, witnessing Messi's magic firsthand.

A Look Back at the Key Moments

• The opening goal, scored by Mikkel Uhre, was a shock to the system for Inter Miami. But Messi’s quick-fire brace was a testament to his incredible talent and ability to change the course of a game.
• Luis Suárez’s goal in the 98th minute was the cherry on top, a fitting end to a night of intense football.
• Drake Callender was a crucial figure in Inter Miami’s victory, making several important saves to keep the Philadelphia Union at bay.

A Night to Remember

Lionel Messi's return to Inter Miami was a night that will be remembered for a long time. He reminded everyone why he is considered the best player in the world, showing his class and leadership on the pitch. Inter Miami, with Messi back in the fold, are looking even more formidable as they continue their pursuit of the Supporters' Shield.